Putin signs revised Russian nuclear doctrine

Baghdad-INA

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on Tuesday a decree approving Moscow's updated nuclear doctrine.

According to the document, published on the government portal's website, aggression against Russia and its allies by a non-nuclear country with the support of a nuclear state will be considered as a joint attack.

Also, Russia may use nuclear weapons in a critical threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to its allied state -- Belarus.

The revised doctrine also includes a list of opponents against whom nuclear deterrence is being implemented and conditions for its use, including the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the Russian territory.

If a state provides its territory and resources for aggression against Russia, it is the basis for the nuclear deterrence of such a state, the updated doctrine suggests.

Putin emphasized the urgency of revising the document, which, prior to the current revisions, designated the use of nuclear forces as a “last resort” to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty.